‘Secrets’ book reveals adventures in golf course architecture

Bill Coore, ASGCA member was confronted by naked, blowgun-wielding tribesmen in Indonesia. Pete Dye, ASGCA Fellow wasn’t hired to build the second nine at the first course he ever designed. And, more than one member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects has been threatened with arrest without cause in a foreign country, all while innocently designing golf courses.

Stories like these are only part of the harrowing, moving, challenging and inspirational experiences of golf course architects published in the new book by ASGCA, “Secrets of the Great Golf Course Architects.”

This 244-page, hard cover, full-colour coffee table book, co-authored by Michael Patrick Shiels, was published in November and is available at the ASGCA website, www.asgca.org.

“ASGCA members all have stories about their adventures in golf course architecture,” says Steve Forrest, immediate past president of ASGCA. “Inevitably, people who hear these stories will say, ‘You should write a book!’ So, we did. This fascinating mix of heartfelt confessions and intriguing tall tales from 118 ASGCA members casually reveals the creative process, the travel challenges, the dicey situations and the incredible satisfaction that make up the life of a golf course architect.”

The book, which retails for $40, includes more than 150 color photographs and golf course renderings that accompany the stories. Ordering information is located on the homepage of the ASGCA website at www.asgca.org

A new multimedia editorial feature from Syngenta Growing Golf, broadcast on World Environment Day, (5th June 2020) Professor Jenny Roe of the University of Virginia is joined by Olympic golf course architect Gil Hanse